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TRINITY LABAN CONSERVATOIRE OF MUSIC & DANCE
photo: Lidia Crisafulli
Alumni newsletter Summer 2017
WELCOMING BACK MUSIC AND DANCE ALUMNI
To receive information about future reunions and events make sure you share your email address with us. We are always delighted to hear about reunions planned by alumni so if you are thinking of organising one get in touch to discuss how we can support you.
trinitylaban.ac.uk/alumni
photo: Lidia Crisafulli
We have a host of reunions organised over the summer to welcome back music and dance alumni. At the beginning of June we were joined by music alumni who had studied at the former Trinity College of Music at Mandeville Place before 1970. Guests travelled from as far away as India for a great day of catching up and reminiscing, with an opportunity to look around the Faculty of Music at the Old Royal Naval College. At the time of writing we were also looking forward to two dance reunions scheduled to take place in July, one for the class of 1972 and one for the BA class of 1997. With both classes having studied at Laurie Grove this was a chance to catch up with old friends and visit the Faculty of Dance in its award winning purpose built home.
STAFF APPOINTMENTS AND RETIREMENTS Linda Hirst is stepping down as Head of Vocal Studies. Since Linda took up her post in 1995, the department has gone from strength to strength, and Linda has overseen an entire generation of students achieving great success in the profession. We are delighted that she will continue to teach students at Trinity Laban. Jennifer Hamilton will be succeeding Linda as the new Head of Vocal Studies. Jennifer has taught at many UK conservatoires and worked extensively as an opera director, and was most recently acting Head of Department in the Vocal, Opera and Drama Department at the DIT Conservatory of Music and Drama in Dublin.
and dance as universal languages which can bring people together. There were many highlights including The Brexchange Jazz Project, which bought together jazz students from across Europe, and Colab Horizons, which featured visiting students and staff from the National Taiwan University of Arts. Work was also shown at the Tate Modern as part of Tate Exchange, of which Trinity Laban is a Founding Associate.
NEW PATRONS AND FRIENDS SCHEMES ARE UNVEILED
Sara Matthews has been appointed as the Dean of the Faculty of Dance. Sara was formerly a dancer with Rambert and was Director at Central School of Ballet for seven years. At Trinity Laban she is now responsible for developing and delivering the Faculty of Dance’s suite of taught higher education programmes. Teresa Kelsey, affectionately known as TK, has retired. After a very successful career as a professional dancer and ballet mistress she joined the Laban Centre and has taught ballet here for 38 years. She helped shape curriculum development, always keeping abreast of the latest research and developments in professional dance training. She has a particular interest in the health and wellbeing of the dancer, and initiated the introduction of Pilates training for our students. Gemma Okell is the new Director of Blackheath Halls, our main venue for music performances. Gemma was formerly Director of Salisbury Arts Centre, where she oversaw a major redevelopment and gave opportunities to numerous young artists. She will continue to develop Blackheath Halls’ diverse programme of concerts and community programmes.
INNOVATIVE FESTIVAL HAS GLOBAL REACH CoLab – Trinity Laban’s annual festival of collaboration – took place in February. The festival gives students and staff the opportunity to work together to develop ideas and make brand new work in the spirit of experimentation and collaboration and it’s unique approach to learning and teaching has attracted international attention and acclaim. This year’s festival, titled Different The Same, celebrated the power of music
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photo: jk-photography
Simon Purcell is stepping down as the Head of Jazz, a position he has held since 2005. Under Simon’s leadership, the Jazz department has often been acclaimed as the finest in Europe, and Simon has been named Jazz Educationalist of the Year by the Parliamentary Jazz Committee. We are happy to announce that Simon will continue to teach students at Trinity Laban.
Trinity Laban has recently launched two new schemes, Friends of Trinity Laban and the Patron’s Scheme, to help support the next generation of young artists. Friends of Trinity Laban are invited to a series of exclusive events and have the opportunity to meet fellow art lovers, in unique venues, who enjoy music and dance. The Patron’s Scheme offers members different levels of support at which they can give. The benefits available to supporters include an invitation to an annual lunch or dinner with our Royal Patron, invitations to VIP receptions and private dinners and the opportunity to meet artists and visit behind the scenes. These exciting schemes are open to anyone to join and the contributions from members go towards funding more student scholarships and transforming our buildings and facilities. In launching the Patron’s Scheme, HRH, the Duke of Kent said “The union between Trinity and Laban, brought Trinity’s tradition of creative musicianship and improvisation together with the innovation and creativity of Contemporary Dance at Laban. I believe there is no other conservatoire in the UK with these strengths, and there is nothing quite like a Trinity Laban student.” We are enormously grateful to those alumni who generously contribute vital funds to support our students. If you are interested in finding out more about either of these schemes or simply want to make a one off donation to Trinity Laban please contact Bernadette Benati b.benati@trinitylaban.ac.uk or 020 8305 4461.
NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH BOURNEMOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ANNOUNCED
DR VALERIE PRESTON-DUNLOP SHARES HER MEMORIES
We are delighted to announce the launch of a new partnership with Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (BSO) which aims to increase professional development for young musicians across the south of England as well as increasing the diversity of the UK orchestral profession. BSO and Trinity Laban join in their shared commitment to identifying talented young instrumentalists and composers from communities currently under-represented in the profession. Through the partnership BSO will offer students and recent graduates coaching, training and performance opportunities. This includes the unique Side by Side series in which principal BSO players perform alongside and offer mentorship to Trinity Laban students. Students and recent graduates also have the opportunity to work with BSO Participate and BSO Associates, two programmes which deliver community engagement across the Southwest. Dougie Scarfe, Chief Executive of Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, said: “Much needs to be done in the orchestral sector to increase diversity and the range of opportunities available to young players from disadvantaged backgrounds. There’s also a gap between the professional orchestral sector and conservatoires. Trinity Laban shares BSO’s passion for change in these areas and I’m delighted that we’ve been able to team up with them on a range of initiatives that we believe will make a real impact on young people’s professional development.”
Dr Valerie Preston-Dunlop has long been associated with Trinity Laban as a former student, teacher, innovator, researcher, author and mentor. She is the acknowledged leader in the field of scholarship on the work of Rudolf Laban and has published a number of books about his work. She has directed recreations of pivotal dance works from his repertoire and established Choreological Studies as a key discipline for the integrated practical/ theoretical study of dance. Valerie has recently published her autobiography, Moving with the times, which tells the story from her childhood as a bishop’s daughter, through wartime separation and teenage poverty to her meeting with Rudolf Laban and life-long career devoted to dance. You can order the book through our online shop shoptrinitylaban.ac.uk.
TRINITY LABAN NEAR YOU Over the last couple of years Trinity Laban has been expanding its activities internationally and regionally within the UK. More faculty have visited different regions and institutions to give masterclasses and workshops. We have been attending music and dance conferences and education and performing arts fairs and visiting schools. Staff make a series of international trips every year including to Japan, the US, Korea and Hong Kong as well as visits to Europe including France, Norway and Italy.
We want to communicate these activities more effectively, so that we let you know about activities relevant to you and in your area. In order to do so please share your email address with us and if you are teaching let us know where you are based. Contact details for getting in touch are on the back page.
photos: jk-photography
As part of these visits we are always keen to connect with alumni whether it’s through alumni events, letting you know about performances and masterclasses in your area or even the possibility of arranging a visit to your institution if you teach.
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FROM MUSIC ALUMNI
NEWS Uchenna Ngwe (BMus oboe, 2002) gave a TED talk entitled Labels and pigeon holes: how to avoid other people’s limiting expectations in which she discusses her music career. Geoffrey Hanson, (GTCL organ, 1962) recorded a CD for Cala Records with the London Mozart Players and the London Ripieno Singers. The East Finchley Arts Festival, which Geoffrey founded and directs, celebrated its 20th anniversary in October 2016. Manu Delago (Postgraduate Advance Diploma composition, 2011) released his latest album Metromonk and has been touring with his band Manu Delago Handmade. Zoe Rogers (BA Musical Theatre, 2016) joined the West End cast of the brand new production of 42nd Street.
Litha and Effy Efthymiou (MMus composition, 2013) presented new work Rituals to Mould her with, at venues across the UK including Kings Place in London. It also featured dance alumnus Harriet Parker-Beldeau. Rebecca Allen (LTCL 1993 and GTCL 1995, recorder) has been promoted to President of Decca Records.
photo courtesy Soumik Data
James Darch (FDA musical theatre, 2009) has joined the cast of Wicked in London’s West End. photo courtesy Rebecca Allen
Simon Dyer (BMus voice, 2013) has been selected for the Florida Grand Opera Young Artists Programme 2017/18. Joan Gibson (LTLC flute, 1978) has retired as the Chief Executive and Artistic Director of National Youth Orchestras of Scotland. Jake Long (BMus jazz drum kit, 2015) was announced as a 2016 Yamaha Jazz Scholar.
photo courtesy Zoe Rogers
Becky Brass (BMus percussion, 2015) appeared at the National Theatre and in the UK tour of Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour. The production is transferring to the West End.
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Soumik Datta (MMus composition, 2009) filmed and co-directed a sixpart documentary series, shown on Channel 4, which charted his journey across India in search of underrecognised folk musicians.
Jenni Pinnock (MMus composition, 2010) is collaborating with writer Graham Palmer on a new song cycle entitled Cracked Voices which will be performed in 2018. Camilla George (MMus jazz saxophone, 2012) received great reviews for new album, Isang.
Lyndsay Evans (BMus percussion, 2002) alongside a very busy performing schedule was a contestant on the latest series of Masterchef and made it through to the semi-final! Ellie Martin (BMus voice, 2010) has taken the helm of Mansfield Choral Society as the new Artistic Director. Thomas Spencer (BMus voice, 2005) has released his new album The Journey. Tomos Xerri (BMus 2014 and MMus 2015, harp) and Richard Allen (BMus 2015 and Postgraduate Diploma 2016, harp) have both been given places on the Philharmonia Academy Scheme. Gerarda McCann (Dip TCL 1992 and Postgraduate Certificate 1993, voice) performed at the Strabane Summer Jamm Festival.
CATCH UP WITH YOUR PEERS IN THE WORLD OF MUSIC LOOK OUT FOR MORE ON OUR WEBSITE AND FACEBOOK PAGE
Louisa Tee (BMus voice, 2009) appeared in La Boheme at the Oxford Playhouse. Jazz septet Nerija, which includes alumni Lizy Exel (BMus jazz drums, 2013), Sheila Maurice Grey (Postgraduate Diploma jazz trumpet, 2016) Cassie Kinoshi (BMus compositions, 2015), Nubya Garcia (BMus jazz saxophone, 2016) and Rosie Turton (BMus jazz trombone, 2015), was named as City Music Foundation Artists for 2016. They also released their debut EP. Adam Music (BMus voice, 2016) has joined the chorus of Welsh National Opera.
Guy Elliott (BMus voice, 2016) was featured as soloist in two performances of Handel’s Messiah at the Royal Albert Hall. Empirical (Trinity Laban Golubovich Jazz Scholars, 2011) which includes Lewis Wright (BMus vibraphone, 2010) and Shane Forbes (BMus jazz drums, 2009) curated part of the 2017 Jazz at Kings Place programme in London. Olly Muxworthy (BMus composition, 2016) has been chosen by Classic FM to compose a piece of music for the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to celebrate the station's 25th anniversary.
AWARDS, HONOURS AND COMPETITIONS Congratulations to our alumni for the many awards and prizes they have won. photo courtesy Adam Music
Danny Wallington (BMus piano, 2016) performed in The Conductor, based on the novel by Sarah Quigley, at Sands Films Studios John Chambers (BMus composition, 2008) designed the sound and music for If I Can which was performed at the National Trust Red House in Bexleyheath.
Oda Voltersvik (Postgraduate Artistic Diploma piano, 2015) and Giulio Potenza (Postgraduate Diploma 2013 and Postgraduate Artistic Diploma 2014, piano) won first prize in the Buono & Bradshaw competition with their duo Volt & Potenza. This led to a recital at Carnegie Hall. They also released a new CD Khoreia.
Cecilia McDowall (LTCL 1973 and GTCL 1975, piano) and Mark Lockheart (LTCL saxophone, 1982) were both shortlisted for this year’s British Composer Awards. Georgia Bishop (BMus voice, 2014) was awarded second place in the Wagner International Singing Competition. Nardus Williams (BMus voice, 2014) has won the Maureen Lehane Vocal Award. Richard Gaddes (GTCL piano, 1968) has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the Manhattan School of Music Nubya Garcia (BMus jazz saxophone, 2016) was nominated for the Jazz FM Breakthrough Act of the Year. Laura Jurd’s (BMus jazz trumpet, 2013) group Dinosaur, featuring alumni Elliot Galvin (BMus piano 2013, MMus composition, 2014) Corrie Dick (BMus jazz drums, 2014) and Conor Chaplin (BMus double bass, 2014), were nominated for Jazz FM UK Jazz Act of the Year. Rebecca Marriott (MMus voice, 2014) and her accompanist Panaretos Kyriatzidis (MMus, 2012 Postgraduate Artist Diploma, 2014 and Junior Fellow, piano) won The Paricia Routledge National English Song Competition 2017.
Peter Wilcox appeared at the National Theatre in Amadeus.
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FROM DANCE ALUMNI
NEWS A huge number of alumni presented work at Resolution including Simon Mousset (Certificate Dance Theatre, 2008), Elizabeth Schiling (BA 2011), RAE Dance Collective, Andrew Race (BA 2013, Transitions 2014), Clara Sjölin (BA 2016), J7s Dance Company, Laura Calcagno (BA 2016), Camilla Isola (BA 2016), Clélia Vuille (BA 2013), Jannick Moth (BA 2015), Roxy Bryant (BA 2010), Jayne Port (MA choreography 2012), Orley Quick (DDS 2010), Zoe Bishop (BA 2015), Alice White (BA 2015), Laura Ganotis (BA 2015), Natalie Sloth Richter (BA 2015), Scatterlings, Cecilia Watts (BA 2015), Gianna Burright (MFA choreography 2017), Maria Lothe (BA 2015), Katsura Isobe (MA scenography 2002), Thomas Michael Voss (Diploma Dance Theatre 2000), Emmeline Cresswell (Dance science diploma 2008). Mandeep Raikhy’s (BA 2005) latest work Queen Size, has been touring India and was presented at the Alchemy Festival in London. It features Parinay Mehra (DDS 2009, BA 2012, Transitions 2014).
Maresa von Stockert (BA 1995) presented promenade piece BELONGING(s) at Greenwich and Docklands Festival. Dylan Crossman (BA 2006) premiered his new work Here we are at Abrons Arts Centre in New York. Andreas Starr (MSc 2012) has been appointed Deputy Head of the dance department at Anton Bruckner University in Linz Austria. Theo TJ Lowe (BA 2008) appeared in Salome at the National Theatre. Olivia Edginton (BA 2015, Transitions 2016) joined Candoco Dance Company.
Louiseanne Wong (MA Choreography 2014) was selected to show her work Skinship at the Diffrazioni Festival 2016 in Florence. It was performed on the opening night of live works in the new Palazzina Reale.
photo courtesy Louisanne Wong
Carol Wallman (BA 1976) performed in The Journey a multi art and poetry performance.
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Oona Doherty (Transitions 2011) showed work, Hope Hunt, at Spring Forward Festival, Denmark. She also exhibited Deep Clean, at Dublin Dance Festival.
photo Chris Nash, art direction Adam Hypki, Chris Nash
Liz Atkin (MA European Dance Practice 2007) was a participating artist at the M1 Singapore Fringe Festival.
photo credit Paushali Dutta
The annual Swallowsfeet Festival returned. First launched by Jessica Miller (BA 2013) it featured work by alumni including Alice Labant (BA 2014) and Masako Matsushita (BA 2012).
Preethi Athreya (MA Dance Studies 2001) showed her work Conditions of Carriage – The Jumping Project at the Alchemy Festival.
Phoebe Hart (BA 2014) is appearing in new musical Bat out of hell at the London Coliseum before transferring to Toronto. Alison Curtis-Jones (BA 2001, MA European Dance Theatre Practice 2004) re-imagined two of Rudolf Laban’s lost works Nacht and Drumstick which were performed by her company Summit Dance Theatre at the University of Surrey. She also presented her research and was a featured contributor at the launch event and research symposium for Labanarium a new online resource and network centre for the movement community.
CATCH UP WITH YOUR PEERS IN THE WORLD OF DANCE LOOK OUT FOR MORE ON OUR WEBSITE AND FACEBOOK PAGE
Carmel Koster (Diploma Dance Studies 2014) presented new work Shine at London Museum.
Andrew Race (BA 2013, Transitions 2014) has joined Tavaziva Dance.
Congratulations to our alumni for the many awards and prizes they have won
Francesco Migliaccio (BA 2016) performed in new work, Paradiso, by Jose Agudo at Alchemy Festival. Linzy Na Nakorn (BA 2015) took immersive performance group BitterSuite to New York to perform Debussy’s String Quartet: A Sensorial photo Chris Nash Concert. It featured many alumni and the US producer was Gina Ricker (BA Victoria Fox Markewicz (BA 1999) 2015) with Laura Ganotis (BA 2015) working in the communications team. presented Still I Rise with TRIBE// dance company at Brighton Fringe Festival. Jayne Port (MA Choreography) presented Pibroch Tales at the Wandsworth Fringe Festival.
Taylor Benjamin (Transitions 2008) has been touring with Company Chameleon in Witness and new outdoor production This Witness.
Darren Johnston (BA 1999) showed Zero Pont at the Barbican, London. Sarah Golding (BA 2012, Transitions 2013) has joined the West End cast of STOMP.
Maciej Kuźmiński (BA 2007, MA Choreography 2012) Maciej won first prize for choreography at the International Festival of Modern Choreography in Belarus. His work Dominique was awarded three prizes at the 21st Choreographic Miniatures in Belgrade. Adam Rutherford (BA 2002, Transitions 2003) is the recipient of the DX Choreography Award. Sir Matthew Bourne OBE (BA 1985, Transitions 1986) was awarded the Critics’ Circle Award for Outstanding Services to the Arts. Rosemary Lee (BA 1981) was awarded a Trinity Laban Honorary Fellowship.
Jennifer Sutton (Transitions 2005) published her first book Sun to son. Jenevieve Chang (PDDS 2003) has published autobiography The Good Girl of Chinatown. Rebecca Evans (SYA 2005) created a new work, David, which uses a specially commissioned phone app. It features David Ogle (Transitions 2010) and Stefania Pinato (BA 2015).
AWARDS, HONOURS AND COMPETITIONS
photo courtesy Sarah Golding
Louise Lloyd (Transitions 2014), Adam Rutherford (BA 2002, Transitions 2003), Charlotte Tomlinson (MSc 2006), Edel Quin (MSc 2005) and Veronica Jobbins (MA 1984) were all shortlisted for One Dance's first Dance Teaching Awards.
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IN MEMORY
was the founding director of the Jerwood Charitable Foundation and over the years held roles in many different arts organisations as well as being on the board for institutions like Scottish Ballet and Battersea Arts Centre. Most recently she was producer of Small is Beautiful and Imagination: Scotland’s First Festival of Ideas.
We are very sad to announce the following deaths and our condolences go to their families David Lloyd (1930 – 2016) won a scholarship to Trinity College of Music to study the clarinet and became first clarinettist with Radio Éireann Symphony Orchestra. He taught for many years in Yorkshire running wind bands, orchestras and recorder groups. Tamara Coates (2 Jul 1920 – 31 Oct 2016) daughter of composer and conductor, Albert Coates, taught oboe at Trinity College of Music for many years. Ian Murray White (15 Mar 1944 – 19 Oct 2016) was the Librarian and Orchestral Manager at Trinity College of Music in the 1960s and 1970s.
photo: Lidia Crisafulli
Gareth Lewis (24 Apr 1931 – 7 Nov 2016) was the former Assistant Registrar at Trinity College of Music. He worked there from 1970 until 1992 and remained an active supporter of the college after he retired.
Peter Marr (d. November 2016) studied for an LTCL at Trinity College of Music, graduating in 1959. He was Director of Music as St Joseph’s College, Reading in the 1970s and 1980s. Constance Corcoran nee Mullay (8 Aug 1926 – 14 Nov 2016) won a scholarship to Trinity College of Music to study singing. She performed with the Saltire Singers under Hans Oppenheim and gave many recitals throughout the UK. She taught at several schools and was on the faculty at Trinity College of Music for many years. Janet Wyatt MBE (d. Jan 2017) studied piano and harpsichord at Trinity College of Music in the 1950s. She taught at the college from 1961 to 1981 and worked at many other educational institutions including Guildhall School of Music and Drama and City Lit. She was awarded an MBE in 1986 for her work in music for all abilities. Roanne Dods (16 Sept 1965 – 31 Jan 2017) originally worked as a lawyer before she completed an MA Dance Studies at Laban graduating in 1998. She
Robert Aldwinckle (d. 20 Mar 2017) taught at Trinity College of Music as well as the Royal Academy of Music. Up until shortly before he passed away Robert was the musical director of the Hastings Bach Choir. Thomas Michael Voss (d. 21 Mar 2017) graduated in 2000 with a Diploma in Dance Theatre. He worked as a freelance dancer performing with many artists including Mariah Carey and Muse and was Prince Albert’s dance master in the film The Young Victoria. He was also a well-respected ballroom teacher. Thomas passed away after a long battle with cancer. Nona Liddell (1928 – 13 Apr 2017) taught at Trinity College of Music from 1994 until she retired in 2006. She had a very distinguished career including as coprincipal of the English Chamber Orchestra where she worked extensively with Benjamin Britten and was first leader of the London Sinfonietta. She also led the English String Quartet and was in the Richards Piano Quartet. David Lewiston (11 May 1929 – 29 May 2017) studied piano and composition graduating in 1953. He moved to New York where he was a musician at the Gurdjieff Foundation. For many decades he travelled the world recording indigenous music which was released on Nonesuch records.
KEEP UP TO DATE
SHARE YOUR NEWS Email alumni@trinitylaban.ac.uk
We love to hear what you have been doing since you graduated so get in touch and let us know. N.B. Please note that we cannot guarantee to include everything we receive and we reserve the right to edit submissions. Email alumni@trinitylaban.ac.uk Call + 44 (0)20 8305 9420 Post: Alumni Relations, King Charles Court, Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich, London SE10 9JF Like facebook.com/trinitylabanalumni
FACULTY OF DANCE: LABAN BUILDING, CREEKSIDE, LONDON SE8 3DZ, TEL: +44 (0)20 8305 9400 FACULTY OF MUSIC: KING CHARLES COURT, OLD ROYAL NAVAL COLLEGE, GREENWICH, LONDON SE10 9JF, TEL: +44 (0)20 8305 4444 INFO@TRINITYLABAN.AC.UK | TRINITYLABAN.AC.UK | FOLLOW US ON: /TRINITYLABAN PATRON HRH THE DUKE OF KENT KG | CHAIRMAN LORD LIPSEY | PRINCIPAL PROF. ANTHONY BOWNE Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance is a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales. Company No: 51090 Registered. Charity No: 309998. King Charles Court, Old Royal Naval College, London SE10 9JF.
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